Driver door lock that stays locked

[tokky28]

Has any one had experience with this? The driver side door is always locked, and I always need the key to open it from the outside. The PO said it was done intentionally. I suspect BS... Does anyone know hwere the problem might be and how to fix it?

Thanks,
Andre

[John M]

Hey Andre:

You are right. He was full of BS. One of two problems. Either the linkage needs oiling at the back of the lock cylinder or just way out of adjustment. Or the lower linkage plastic rings have popped out of the two clips inside the door along the b pillar edge. Pull the panel and inspect.

Start at the back side of the lock cylinder. Make sure the nut/bolt that passes through the linkage and into the back of the lock cylinder is tight. Follow the linkage down about an inch or two and you will see a couple more bolts/nuts. These are your adjustments by loosening these and sliding the linkage back and forth then retightening. Then follow the linkage down to the b pillar edge of the door. The linkage has two plastic rings that snap into to metal clips on the door. Make sure they are snaped in and tighten the metal clips as necessary to keep the linkage retained.

That's it.

Best Regards,
John M

[John M]

BTW,

The way it should work.

To lock the doors from the inside, rotate the inside door handle forward.

To lock the doors from the outside rotate the key counter clockwise on the left side (driver's side) and clockwise on the right side (passenger side).

Best Regards,
John M